[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 54 (Monday, March 23, 2026)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1528-S1529]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                          Affordable Care Act

  Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, today is the 16th anniversary of an 
amazing event in the history of the United States.
  Millions of Americans can remember a time when access to affordable 
healthcare was just not a reality in America. There was a time when, if 
you had a preexisting condition--you or your family--you could be 
disqualified from any health insurance coverage because of it. And 
being uninsured was a reality for those who just weren't healthy and 
wealthy enough to afford it.
  Sixteen years ago today, it all changed when President Obama signed 
the Affordable Care Act into law, opening the door to quality, 
affordable health coverage for more than 30 million Americans. This 
transformed our healthcare system. Suddenly, no one could be denied 
insurance coverage because of a preexisting condition. Addiction and 
mental health coverage were no longer optional; they were required in 
the health insurance plans. Young

[[Page S1529]]

adults could remain on their parents' plans until they reached the age 
of 26.
  Casting my vote for the Affordable Care Act is something I am proud 
of and will never forget, but now that law is under attack. Donald 
Trump and some Republicans in Congress have tried relentlessly to 
appeal the Affordable Care Act. They called it ObamaCare, mocking it. 
And while they haven't succeeded outright, they have jeopardized its 
benefits for millions of Americans.
  Last summer, Republicans in a majority in Congress passed their so-
called One Big Beautiful Bill--the Trump budget which cut Medicaid by 
$1 trillion and slashed the Affordable Care Act by $300 billion, which 
will result in more than 10 million people in America losing their 
health insurance.
  Have you ever lived without health insurance with a family? Have you 
ever had a child who was sick and you had no health insurance? You will 
never forget it as long as you live. I have been there.
  To make matters worse, Republicans in Congress also refused to extend 
the ACA's enhanced premium tax credit last year. The fallout of that 
Republican decision has been devastating to millions of American 
families. They have contacted my office and the office of every one of 
us, both parties, and explained to people what happened to their health 
insurance premiums because of that decision in the Trump big beautiful 
budget bill. Millions of Americans have had to forgo insurance or 
watched their premiums double or triple.
  The peace of mind that the Affordable Care Act brought to millions of 
Americans is fading away, and we must build the momentum to reverse 
these cuts and address the shortcomings of our healthcare system.
  I want to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to 
improve healthcare for everyone, but we need buy-in from our Republican 
colleagues to move forward--something they have refused to do to this 
point.